The Ynglinga Saga

by ▵under the pyramids▵

For men of consequence a mound should be raised to their memory, and for all other warriors who had been distinguished for manhood a standing stone, a custom that remained long after Odin’s time.

– Ynglinga saga –

The Curman children with their french governess beside a rune stone, Antuna, Stockholm, Sweden

A runestone is typically a raised stone with a runic inscription, but the term can also be applied to inscriptions on boulders and on bedrocks. The tradition began in the 4th century, and it lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones date from the late Viking Age. Most runestones are located in Scandinavia, but there are also scattered runestones in locations that were visited by Norsemen during the Viking Age. Runestones are often memorials to deceased men.

Runestones, standing stones. Their beauty, their power.

The Swedish Heritage National Boardgallery is filled with very old photographs of these stones. I am particularly touched by people standing tall and proud next to the stones, wearing their most elegant attire. One day, I will be standing next to them, too! May it be sooner rather than later…